NITI Aayog, the government’s think tank, came forward to put its recommendations on creating 20 world class institutes. In February budget, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has announced to set up 10 public and 10 private institutions with world class teaching and research experience.

Recently, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant made a couple of suggestions to set up of world class institutes. In a letter written to PMO, he said the proposed institutes should not be regulated by professional councils such as AICTE, Medical Council of India, the Dental Council of India, and the architecture council of India. He also wrote that government should give freedom to fix salary, fees and recruitment and promotion of faculty.

The full autonomy recommendation made by NITI Aayog didn’t go easy with HRD officials while PMO is comfortable with the suggestions. During the meeting held between NITI Aayog, PMO and HRD, it has shaped like a tussle over the aforementioned suggestions. HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said the suggestion cannot be implemented easily as it goes against the law and it would require several amendments.

Also, senior officials said that it would create a sense of disparity among other central funded institutions as they have not been given liberation over salary issue and recruitment of faculty members. The Solicitor General of India Ranjit Kumar also said it is not legally acceptable to create a separate regulatory body for world class institutions. The great idea to make 20 world class institutions will pave the path for various options and opportunities in the education and research world. It would depend on the final outcome of the government as how these institutions will work? But, it should be kept in mind that every new decision has both aspects – positive and negative, the point should be here that which is more dominant and effective.